To people without legal training, the concept of possession may seem simple—either you have something or you don’t. When it comes to criminal law, however, the idea of possession can get complicated—quickly. Certainly, you possess something when you have it in your hand or in your pocket—but what if you have something in the trunk of […]
03
Apr
Apr
Maryland law is harsh when it comes to drunk driving, and understandably so. When people get behind the wheel when impaired by alcohol, they put everyone on the road at risk. When drunk drivers cause accidents, they can face extremely harsh penalties—particularly if they cause serious injury to the other people involved in the accident. These […]
13
Mar
Mar
Laws related to marijuana possession can prove incredibly complicated and difficult to understand. Oftentimes, federal laws and state laws butt heads, and every state has its own take on marijuana possession. As such, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions related to marijuana possession in Maryland. FREQUENTLY […]
22
Jan
Jan
The offense of shoplifting may seem minor—after all, many kids shoplift on a “dare” or as a prank. However, whether someone steals a candy bar or a costly diamond necklace, the law in Maryland takes shoplifting very seriously. Shoplifting is a relatively common criminal charge, especially during and after the holiday season. If you’ve been […]
18
Dec
Dec
The criminal justice system has many players, each with specific roles. The prosecutor’s goal is to enforce the laws by convicting offenders and ensuring they are sentenced to certain penalties. The judge is supposed to serve as a neutral decision-maker. The defense attorney is the individual who protects the rights of the defendant. Under United […]
17
Nov
Nov
Maryland has fairly stringent requirements for sex-offender registration. Those requirements establish tiers that determine how long an offender must stay on the registry, offender reporting requirements, and what kinds of restrictions are placed upon the offender. Any individual convicted of a sex offense set forth under Maryland law must register. There are three tiers of offenses, […]
03
Nov
Nov
Maryland has one of the most aggressive ignition interlock programs in the nation. The program began in 1989, and is fully automated and monitored by the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Administration. Maryland has the sixth-largest number of ignition interlock systems installed, a staggering statistic given that Maryland ranks 19th in population. Since October 1, […]
06
Oct
Oct
In the state of Maryland, theft is generally defined as depriving a person of property without permission or consent. Under Maryland law, the crimes of larceny, larceny by trick, embezzlement, false pretenses, and shoplifting all fall under the umbrella of theft. If you have been charged with a theft crime in the state of Maryland, you should […]
22
Jul
Jul
Misconceptions about alcohol are prevalent in most cultures. One of the most common, and misunderstood, is the “sober up” routine. This is employed when drinkers realize they suddenly need to cease being inebriated. There are many methods, but do any of them work? DRINKING COFFEE OR OTHER ENERGY DRINKS? – NO. This method is one […]
15
Jul
Jul
DUI CHECKPOINT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS It is risky to decide to get behind the wheel if you’re not confident about your limits. Knowing your body, and what it is capable of handling, is essential if driving is a factor. There are applications available, via smartphone, to take some of the guesswork out of the equation. […]